Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे प्रणम्य रामसेविकाम्। अमर्षरहितां शान्तां शबरीमिदमूचिरे॥१॥
Brahmā said: All those brāhmaṇas then bowed to Śabarī, Rāma's peaceful servant who was free of resentment, and spoke to her.
Passage 2
हे देवि मातः शबरि रामभक्ते कृपावति। मनसा कृपयास्मभ्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः शुभेक्षणे॥२॥
“Divine mother Śabarī, compassionate devotee of Rāma, look upon us brāhmaṇas with favor and show us mercy in your heart.
Passage 3
तव भक्त्या वशीभूतो भगवान् रघुपुङ्गवः। अतस्त्वां जननि स्तोतुं गिरा नो पारयामहे॥३॥
“The blessed chief of the Raghus has been brought under your sway by your devotion. Mother, therefore our speech is incapable of praising you.
Passage 4
जग्राह त्वत्कृतातिथ्यं रामो भुवनदुर्लभः। काङ्क्षतोऽस्माननादृत्य ब्राह्मणान् श्रोत्रियानपि॥४॥
“Rāma, whom the worlds can scarcely attain, accepted your hospitality while disregarding us expectant brāhmaṇas and Vedic scholars.
Passage 5
अतस्त्वं श्रोत्रियेभ्योऽपि ब्राह्मणेभ्यो वरीयसी। त्वयोद्धृता निजकुले दश पूर्वे दशापरे॥५॥
“You are therefore greater even than learned Vedic brāhmaṇas. In your lineage you have uplifted ten generations before you and ten after.
Passage 6
निवसन्त्या त्वया देवि वनमेतत् सुपावनम्। तीर्थभूतमभून्मातः का ते स्तुतिरतः परम्॥६॥
“Divine mother, by your dwelling here this forest has become supremely pure and transformed into a tīrtha. What greater praise of you can there be?
Passage 7
अजानता जानता वा यत्ते केनापि किंचन। अपराद्धमभून्मातस्तत्त्वं क्षन्तुमिहार्हसि॥७॥
“Mother, whatever offense anyone committed against you knowingly or unknowingly, you should forgive it here.
Passage 8
पुरस्तात्तव पश्चाद्वा यत्किंचिदपराधजम्। मातस्त्वदनुकम्पातस्तन्न आगोऽपगच्छतु॥८॥
“Mother, whether before or behind you, may every fault born of offense depart from us through your compassion.
Passage 9
जननि त्वं सदा पूता रामभक्तिप्रभावतः। त्वद्दर्शनेन पूयन्ते महापातकिनो जनाः॥९॥
“Mother, you are forever pure through the power of devotion to Rāma. Even people guilty of the gravest sins are purified by seeing you.
Passage 10
त्वया वशीकृतो रामः प्रेममात्रेण संततम्। मुनीनां शुद्धचित्तानां यो वै दूरतरे स्थितः॥१०॥
“By love alone you have perpetually bound Rāma, who remains far beyond even pure-minded sages.
Passage 11
धन्यं तव परं प्रेम धन्यं ते ज्ञानमूर्जितम्। धन्यं तव कुलं मातर्धन्या त्वं तत्र सम्भवा॥११॥
“Blessed is your supreme love, blessed your mighty knowledge, blessed your lineage, mother, and blessed are you who arose within it.
Passage 12
विज्ञापनमिदं मातः श्रूयतां नः स्वयाधुना। शोणितौघवहा जाता अस्मदाश्रमगा सरित्॥१२॥
“Mother, now please hear this request of ours. The river through our hermitage has begun carrying streams of blood.
Passage 13
तस्यां प्रक्षालय निजौ पादौ त्वं विश्वपावनौ। ततः सा पूतसलिला प्रकृतिस्था भविष्यति॥१३॥
“Wash your world-purifying feet in it. Its water will then become pure and return to its natural state.
Passage 14
विलुप्तस्नानाचमनाः प्रतिबद्धक्रिया वयम्। पूतायां तत्र वाहिन्यां भविष्यामः सुखान्विताः॥१४॥
“Our bathing and sipping rites have ceased and our duties are obstructed. When that stream is purified, we will regain well-being.
Passage 15
आशिषस्ते प्रयोक्ष्यामो याभिस्तव रघूद्वहे। भविष्यति परा भक्तिर्भूयो वृद्धिमुपेयुषी॥१५॥
“We will pronounce blessings upon you through which your supreme devotion to Raghu's scion will increase still further.
Passage 16
त्वत्पादरजसः स्पर्शात् पूयेरन् किल नो गृहाः। अग्निहोत्रस्थितो वह्निः स पुनः प्रज्वलिष्यति॥१६॥
“Our homes will surely be purified by contact with the dust of your feet, and the extinguished agnihotra fire will blaze again.
Passage 17
प्रतिबद्धक्रियाः सन्ति स्वाश्रमेषु द्विजातयः। करिष्यन्ति च कर्माणि यथास्वं त्वदनुग्रहात्॥१७॥
“The twice-born men remain obstructed in their respective hermitages. Through your grace they will again perform their proper rites.
Passage 18
त्वं शान्तधीरहरेर्भक्ता कामक्रोधविवर्जिता। तथा कुरु यथा विप्राः प्राप्नुयुः सुखमाश्रमे॥१८॥
“You are Hari's devotee, peaceful and steady-minded, free from desire and anger. Act so that the brāhmaṇas may regain well-being in the hermitage.
Passage 19
रघुर्ब्रह्मण्यदेवस्ते रामचन्द्रो दयानिधिः। तद्भक्ता त्वं तथैवार्हा वर्तेथा इति नो मतिः॥१९॥
“Your Rāmacandra of Raghu's line is a treasury of compassion who cherishes brāhmaṇas. As his devotee, we believe that you should act in the same way.”
Passage 20
इतीरितं साधुधियां द्विजन्मनां निशम्य लज्जानुगता किरातिनी। प्रणम्य तान् सार्घकरा यथाविधि प्रपूज्य सानन्दमिदं वचोऽब्रवीत्॥२०॥
Hearing these words from the virtuous-minded twice-born men, the forest woman became bashful. She bowed to them, duly honored their offering-bearing hands, and joyfully spoke. Śabarī Attributes Everything to Grace
Passage 21
शबर्युवाच— अलं मे श्लाघया विप्रा अधमाहं च योनितः। अतीवेदमनर्हं च यन्मां यूयं नमस्यथ॥२१॥
Śabarī said: “Enough of praising me, brāhmaṇas. I am low-born, and it is exceedingly improper that you bow to me.
Passage 22
यूयं हि श्रोत्रियश्रेष्ठा ज्ञानविज्ञानभाजनाः। तपोधना सर्ववर्णनमस्कार्या द्विजातयः॥२२॥
“You are eminent Vedic scholars, vessels of knowledge and realization, twice-born men rich in austerity and worthy of reverence from every social order.
Passage 23
अपकृष्टतमे जन्तौ महद्भिर्विहिता नतिः। आयुः श्रियं यशो हन्ति तस्य नास्तीह संशयः॥२३॥
“When great persons bow to the lowest creature, it destroys their longevity, prosperity, and renown; of this there is no doubt.
Passage 24
अहं दीनतमा लोकेऽधमा जात्या च कर्मणा। कथं नु योग्यतां याता यन्मां नमथ वाडवाः॥२४॥
“I am the most wretched in the world, low by birth and action. Brāhmaṇas, how could I have gained the worthiness that makes you bow to me?
Passage 25
रामस्तु भगवान् साक्षादकिंचनजनप्रियः। स चेन्न दीने कृपयेद्गतिः स्यात्तस्य तर्हि का॥२५॥
“But Rāma is the blessed Lord himself, beloved of those who possess nothing. If he did not show mercy to the lowly, what refuge would they have?
Passage 26
अचिन्त्यैव कृपा तस्य रामस्य परमात्मनः। नापेक्षते कुलं शीलं धनं योग्यत्वमेव च॥२६॥
“The grace of that Rāma, the Supreme Self, is truly inconceivable. It considers neither lineage, conduct, wealth, nor personal qualification.
Passage 27
विपरीतमिदं मन्ये यत्पादरजसा मम। ब्राह्मणानां श्रोत्रियाणां शुद्धेयुः सदनानि वः॥२७॥
“I consider it an inversion that the homes of learned brāhmaṇas such as you should be purified by the dust of my feet.
Passage 28
स्वत एव विशुद्धानि नित्यं सद्मानि वो द्विजाः। यत्राभिगमनाज्जन्तुः सकुलः पूयतेतराम्॥२८॥
“Twice-born men, your homes are always pure by their own nature; merely entering them thoroughly purifies a creature together with its family.
Passage 29
किं मां नयथ धर्मज्ञा उपहासं जगत्त्रये। भवदुच्छिष्टकवलेऽप्यनर्हां नीचयोनिजाम्॥२९॥
“Knowers of dharma, why make me an object of ridicule in the three worlds? Low-born as I am, I am unworthy even of a morsel left from your meal.
Passage 30
दत्तं च कृपया मह्यं युष्माभिर्दर्शनं द्विजाः। तद्ब्रूत भूरिशर्माणो हितं किं करवाणि वः॥३०॥
“Twice-born men, you have mercifully granted me your presence. Greatly blessed ones, therefore tell me what beneficial service I should perform for you.
Passage 31
सर्वकर्मस्वनर्हाहं पुरैव विधिना कृता। किं वो वदानि स्वाचारा अनुकम्पध्वमेव तत्॥३१॥
“Destiny long ago made me unfit for every rite. What can I say to you, whose conduct is pure? Simply show compassion for that condition.”
Passage 32
इत्युक्त्वा शबरी दीना कुम्भयोनेर्महामुनेः। चरणावग्रहीद् दूरादस्पृश्यामीति शङ्कया॥३२॥
Speaking thus, the humble Śabarī grasped the great jar-born sage's feet from a distance, fearing that she was untouchable. Agastya Insists
Passage 33
ततस्तामाह भगवान् कुम्भयोनिर्महाशयः। हा रामभक्ते भवती कथं नु त्याज्यास्ति न द्विजैः॥३३॥
The noble, blessed jar-born sage then said to her, “Ah, devotee of Rāma, how could brāhmaṇas possibly reject you?
Passage 34
यस्याः प्रेम्णा वशीभूतो भगवान् रघुपुङ्गवः। साक्षात्परात्परः सैष यया ज्ञातश्च सेवितः॥३४॥
“The blessed chief of the Raghus has been brought under the sway of your love. You have known and served him who is directly the Supreme beyond the supreme.
Passage 35
उत्तिष्ठ देवि ते शीलं लोकोत्तरसुपेशलम्। किरातिनि शुभं भूयात्तव साधुतमाकृते॥३५॥
“Rise, divine woman. Your character is gracious beyond anything in this world. Auspiciousness be yours, forest woman of supremely saintly form.
Passage 36
यथावदन्त्यमी मातर्ब्राह्मणास्ते गृहागताः। तथैव क्रियतां देवि न विलम्बस्व सम्प्रति॥३६॥
“Mother, these brāhmaṇas who have come to your home speak correctly. Divine woman, act just as they ask; do not delay now.
Passage 37
त्वत्पादक्षालनाद् देवि शुद्धिमेष्यति सा सरित्। अमीषां चाश्रमस्थानं पुनीहि रामसेविके॥३७॥
“By the washing of your feet that river will become pure. Servant of Rāma, sanctify the place of their hermitage as well.
Passage 38
प्रतिबद्धक्रिया एते सर्व एव द्विजातयः। अनुतिष्ठन्तु कर्माणि तत्पुण्यं च लभस्व भोः॥३८॥
“The rites of all these twice-born men are obstructed. Let them resume their duties, and you too receive the merit of that restoration.” The Hermitage Is Restored
Passage 39
इति निर्बन्धतस्तेषां रामभक्ता किरातिनी। सा तथैवाकरोत्साधु यथा तैरभिकाङ्क्षितम्॥३९॥
Pressed by them in this way, the forest woman devoted to Rāma graciously did exactly as they desired.
Passage 40
ततस्ते तां पुरोधाय शबरीं रामसेविकाम्। जग्मुर्मुनिवराः सर्वे स्वीयमाश्रममण्डलम्॥४०॥
Then all the eminent sages placed Śabarī, Rāma's servant, at their head and went to their own hermitage settlement.
Passage 41
तस्यामागतमात्रायां मुनीनामाश्रमे मरुत्। अवहद् कोमलस्पर्शो निवृत्ताखिलचण्डिमा॥४१॥
The moment she entered the sages' hermitage, a softly touching breeze blew and every harshness ceased.
Passage 42
प्रादुरासीदपूर्वा श्रीर्वने च सुषमाभवत्। प्राकाशन्ताग्निहोत्रेषु प्रशान्ता अपि पावकाः॥४२॥
Unprecedented beauty appeared and loveliness filled the forest. Even the fires that had gone out shone again in the agnihotras.
Passage 43
पादप्रक्षालनात्तस्या यथापूर्वमभूत्सरित्। शीतस्वच्छोदकवहा फुल्लपङ्कजशालिनी॥४३॥
When her feet were washed, the river returned to its former state, carrying cool, clear water and abounding in blooming lotuses.
Passage 44
निपानेष्वभवद्वारि सुगन्धि स्वादुशीतलम्। पूर्वाधिकतरा सम्पदाश्रमेषु व्यवर्तत॥४४॥
The water in the drinking places became fragrant, pleasant, and cool, and prosperity greater than before prevailed in the hermitages.
Passage 45
फलिनः पुष्पवन्तश्च नवपल्लवपूरिताः। गुञ्जद्भ्रमरपुञ्जाढ्या व्यशोभन्ताश्रमद्रुमाः॥४५॥
The hermitage trees shone, laden with fruit, flowers, fresh leaves, and swarms of humming bees.
Passage 46
सरांसि फुल्लपद्मानि स्वच्छशीतोदकानि च। अवहन् परमां शोभां क्वणद्भी राजहंसकैः॥४६॥
The lakes, filled with blossoming lotuses and clear, cool water, displayed supreme beauty as royal swans called upon them.
Passage 47
ततः सुरकरोन्मुक्तकल्पवृक्षप्रसूनजा। अपतच्छबरीमूर्ध्नि वृष्टिः कौतुकवर्धिनी॥४७॥
Then a wondrous shower of blossoms from wish-fulfilling trees, released by the hands of the gods, fell upon Śabarī's head.
Passage 48
माहात्म्यं रामभक्तायास्तस्यास्तत्प्रेक्ष्य वाडवाः। अत्यर्थविस्मितस्वान्ताः समन्तात्तुष्टुवुस्तराम्॥४८॥
Seeing the greatness of that devotee of Rāma, the astonished brāhmaṇas praised her profusely on every side.
Passage 49
सा स्तूयमाना मुनिभिः समन्तादगस्त्यमुख्यैर्द्विजसत्तमैस्तैः। विलज्जमाना मनसा किराती ततो निजां पर्णकुटीं जगाम॥४९॥
Praised all around by those eminent twice-born sages led by Agastya, the bashful forest woman then returned to her leaf hut.
Passage 50
माहात्म्यं रामभक्तायाः शबर्याः सुमहात्मनः। य एतच्छृणुयान्नित्यं सोऽपि दुःखात् प्रमुच्यते॥५०॥
Whoever regularly hears this account of the greatness of noble Śabarī, Rāma's devotee, is also released from suffering.
Passage 51
जात्या निषिद्धा क्रिययापि हीना किरातवंशप्रभवापि सा स्त्री। सीतापतेर्भक्तिभरप्रभावादबभूव मान्या नितरां मुनीनाम्॥५१॥
Though socially excluded by birth, deprived of ritual standing, and born as a woman in a hunter lineage, through the power of her abundant devotion to Sītā's Lord she became profoundly honored by the sages.